Factory Branch control specs

[ctrlguy]

For years I've seen engineers specifying that the control system "shall be installed by employees of the manufacturer" or "firms whose principle business is not direct manufacture...shall not be acceptable" or words to that effect. The obvious intent is to restrict the project to the big boys (yeah, that really helps the customer). Somehow, the local Barber-Coleman/Invensys/TAC guy gets lumped in with this group and I'd heard at one time that there was a formal joint venture between the contractor and BC that made this legitimate. Can anyone verify this?

[controlgeek]

The logic used is that the local rep is the factory authorized and trained representative for the product lines from TAC, Invensys etc.

An agreement is signed for specific product lines for specific geographic areas usually by counties with Invensys, TAC etc.

Prior to TAC buying Invensys there were no branch offices, there were Indenpendent Field Offices (IFO's). TAC has since purchasing invensys added some branch offices primarily from purchasing former IFO offices such as a group from one of the larger IFO's, Yamas Controls.

It is relatively easy for a local rep to bid this way, all they need usually is a letter from said manufacturer stating xyz company is their rep.